Date of Award

Spring 5-18-2018

Author's School

Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts

Author's Program

Art

Degree Name

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Restricted/Unrestricted

Unrestricted

Abstract

My work is rooted in the fact that women are practically conditioned to apologize for everything, and tells the intimate story of my life. By recording my apologies for several months and deeply examining my behavior, I noticed themes and made work based on these — work that exposed my private moments. I noticed a disconnect between times I needed to apologize, and this compulsive need to take on the blame for every little thing. I examine the feminine battle of soft and strong, eventually coming to the conclusion that there are occasions calling for both. Women are taught to take the blame, without even thinking about it, and therefore learn that we matter less than the commotion it would make to stand up for ourselves. This plays a direct role in rape culture, where female victims are blamed and often coerced into taking on the blame of their perpetrator. Women are expected to be submissive, to understand and reassure ‘it’s okay,’ and through my work, I argue against this expectation. I expose everything I apologize for, revealing how absurd the vast majority of these apologies are. Elements of handwriting, tearing, and hand-stitching reference the emotional toll this compulsive need to apologize takes, and how exhausting and infuriating it feels that this is expected. Overuse of the words ‘I’m sorry’ detract meaning from when an apology is truly merited.

Mentor/Primary Advisor

Michael Byron

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